Method of constructing subterranean or subaqueous dams or foundations.



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'Patented .Iuly I6, I QUI.

J. F. RUBKE. METHUD 0F CONSTRUCTING SUBTERRANEAN-OR SUBAQUEUUS DAMS 0B FUUNDAT (H0 Nudel.)

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No. 678,582. Patented .luly 16,' I90I. J. F. DROURKE.

METHOD URGONSTRUCTIMG SUBTERRANEAN 0R SUBARUEOUS DIUISv 0R FOUNDATIDINS.

(Appliaating led June 3. 1901.)

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Patented luly I6, |90I. J. F. GROURKE.

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JOHN F. OROURKE, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

METHOD 0F CONSTRUCTING SUBTERRANEAN 0R SUBAQUEOUS DAMS 0R FOUNDAUONS.

SPEGEFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 678,582, dated July 16, 1901.l

Original application led April ll, 1901, Serial No. 55,276. Divided and this application filed Tune 3, 1901. Serial No. 62,989. (No model.)

T0 all whom may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN F. OROURKE, a citizen of the United States, residing in the borough of Manhattan, city, county,and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Methods of Constructing Subterranean or Subaqueous Dams or Foundations, of which the following is a specifica-tion, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part hereof.

This invention relates to a method ofconstructing, below the surface, walls, either water-resistin g simply or adapted as foundations to support the weight of superimposed structures. Y

One object of the invention is to provide a method by which such walls may be constructed of a continuous length greater than is possible with any of the usual methods of construction, and another object is to pro-. vide a method by which such walls may be constructed, whether of greater or less length, with more expedition and less trouble and expense than is possible with such usual methods.

The invention finds its most important lields in the construction of deep foundations Y or basements for buildings and in the building of large piers, such as bridge-piers, but is equally useful wherever it is desired to form at a considerable depth below the surface a continuous wall or darn for the purpose of retaining earth on one side or excluding the water of water-bearingstrata, whether or not it is also desired to support the weight of superimposed structures. The work of construction is carried on in suitable caissons, which maybe placed one after another, that portion of the dam or foundationwhich is formed in one caisson being connected through the adjoining ends or walls of the caisson with 'that portion of the wall'which is built in the adjoining caisson in sucha manner as to make the two portions substantially integral, so that the whole dani or foundation when completed shall be practically continuous from end to end, no joints being left through which water may iind its way from one side to the other; The caissons may be 5o formed substantially as set forth in Letters Patent of the United States, No. 631,320,

granted to ine'August 22, 1899, being c0inposed of vertical timbers or planks which form the outer walls and other suitable beams and braces, such construction of the caissons permitting thern to be prepared whenever and wherever required with little delay and at comparatively small expense. The cutting edge of each caisson may also be made oblique to the vertical axis of the caissons, as also set forth in said Letters Patent, for the purpose of directing the escape of the compressed air of a pneumatic caisson, where it will not effeet the stability of ground which should not be disturbed. The precise construction of the caissons, however, is not material to the present invention, which will be more fully described hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which-- Figure l is a view in side elevation showing the abutting portions of two caissons. Fig. 2 is a horizontal section on the plane indicated by the broken line 2 2 of Fig. l. Fig. 3 is a vertical section on the plane indicated by the broken line 3 3 of Fig. l, a portion of a cofEer-dam or vertical extension of the caissons walls being also shown in this figure. Fig. 4 is a horizontal detail section on the plane indicated by the broken line 4 4 of Fig. 3, the material of which the dam or foundation is formed being represen ted in part. Fig. 5 is a vertical central section through the abutting ends of two adjoining caissons, showing the connection between the two portions of the continuous wall which are formed in the two adjoining caissons. Fig. 6 is a diagram matic plan view showing the application of the invention to the construction of a wall adapted to resist external pressure without requiring the use of internal braces. Fig. 7 is a similar view illustrating the application of the invention in a slightly-different form to the construction of a pier, the wall being adapted to resist external pressure without requiring the use of internal braces. Fig. 8 is a View similar to Fig. 7, illustrating the application of the invention t0 the construction of a rectangular bridge-pier; and Fig. 9 is an outline view, `in side elevation, further illustrating the construction of the bridge-pier indicated in Fig. 8.

In the particular form of caisson which has IOO been chosen for illustration in Figs. l to 5 of the drawings of the nature of the invention the side and end walls of each caisson are shown as composed of planks or timbers A, which are placed vertically, their meeting edges being closely joined. At intervals within the caisson the vertical timbers A are firmly united and braced against external pressure by suitable beams B, which are preferably formed of angle-iron. The lower or cutting edge C of the caisson may be formed as set forth in said Letters Patent No. 631,320, and the cutting vedge of one wall may be made oblique with respect to the vertical axis of the caisson, as shown in Fig. l. If the caisson is to be sunk below the surface to a depth greater than its own height, so that it will be desirable to extend the walls of the caisson upward, it is preferred to form the upwardlyextending walls as a separate section or coffer-dam, as indicated at D in Fig. 3, and in order that the upper section of the coder-dam may be readily placed and securely held in position upon the walls of the caisson below it the uppermost beam B of the caisson is set somewhat below the upper ends of the timbers A, as clearly shown in Figs. l and 3, and the lowermost beam B2, to which are secured the timbers A of the coer-dam D, is so placed as to extend slightly below the lower ends of such timbers A. In this manner a male and female joint between .the coffer-dam and caisson is formed, which will greatly facilitate the placing of the cofferdam in exact position upon the walls of the caisson and the formation of a tight and strong joint between the two.

When it is necessary for the purpose of excluding water during the completing of the dam or foundation to carryon the work under air-pressure, the caisson is provided with a suitable roof E, which may be secured tothe Walls of the caisson in any suitable manner. Such roof may be provided at a central or other convenient point with a suitable opening Ffor connection with the air-shaft and adjacent to the wall which is to abut against the wallof the adjoining caisson. It may also be provided with an opening F', which may be covered by a removable cap or cover Gr. The abutting walls of adjoining caissons are also provided with removable wall-sections, as shown in Fig. 3. One such removable wallsection ct a is arranged to extend from the lower edge of the caisson about half-way up toward the roof-line, and above it is another removable wall-section a a', which extends from the top or near the top of the first-named section to or near to the top of the caisson across the roof-line. For convenience each horizontal beam B is interrupted where it crosses the removable section, and the space between the ends is bridged by a short beam b. The ends of each short beam b are secured by bolts or otherwise to the ends of the main beams B, and the removable wall-sections are secured by bolts or otherwise to said short beams b, so that when the caissons have been placed in position and the work of building the dam or foundation has been carried on to a certain point each removable wall-section may be easily detached and removed, for a purpose to be described presently.

In carrying on the construction of the dam or foundation in accordance with this invention, with pneumatic caissons one caisson is first placed in position upon the surface, the air-shaft, air-pipes, dac., are attached, and concrete or other material is laid upon the roof around the air-shaf t and around the plate G of the opening F', leaving said plate Gr accessible from above. Excavation of material from within the caisson is then commenced and carried on until the caisson is sunk to the desired depth, the loading of the caisson above the roof being also carried on meanwhile, as may be desirable. W'hen the caisson has reached the desired depth and the bottom has been suitably prepared, concrete or other material is laid upon the bottom within the caisson to a level a little above the cutting edge of the caisson. The filling ofthe caisson with the masonry, concrete, clay, or other material employed is then carried on until the caisson is completely filled, except for a space or well, as indicated by the dotted line H in Fig. 2 and as shown at H in Fig. 4, which is left about the removable wall-sections ct i and a a' below the removable cap or cover G. Except for this space or well the caisson or air-chamber is completely filled from top to bottom in the usual manner. The adjoining caisson is then set and sunk to place, as already described, with its abutting wall as close as possible to the wall of the first caisson. It is of course sunk as nearly as may be to the level of the first caisson; but it is not necessary that it should be sunk absolutely to the same level, since the removable wallsections in the two abutting walls will be made sufficiently large to insure the registration of some part of the opening in one wall with some part of the opening in the other wall when the sections of the two walls have been removed. When the second caisson has been sunk and the bottom suitably prepared,this second caisson is also sealed by filling in clay or concrete or other material all over the bottom to a level a little above the cutting edge. Theu,the air-pressu re within the second caisson being maintained, the lower removable wall-section of the second caisson is taken out `and through the opening thus formed the ing from one caisson into the space or well which was left in the filling of the first caisson. Then the concrete or clay or other niaterial employed is filled into the lower portion of the space or well H in the first caisson up to the top of t-he opening from one i caisson into the other. Care is taken to effect IOO IIO

Vor otherwise.

the closest possible union between the filling previously placed in the first caisson and that which is placed, as here described, through the opening from the second caisson, Waterproofing being resorted to at this point and wherever else it may be necessary, so as to avoid any leaks immediately underneath or through the dam at the point of connection of the two portions or elsewhere. The two abutting walls of the two caissons about the opening may be drawn close together by bolts or other suitable means to form a tight joint, such joint being waterproofed in any suitable manner. After the connection has been established, as above described, the iilling of the second caisson is carried on until the second caisson is completely filled from top to bottom, except for a space of well II', which is left below the removable cap or cover F' and about the removable wall-sec tion a of the second caisson, as clearly shown in Fig. 5, where the filling first introduced into the first caisson is represented at M and the filling introduced into the second caisson is represented at N. A similar space will of course be left next the portion of the wall which abuts the third caisson.

It will be understood that in loading the concrete or other material upon the roof of the second caisson care is taken to keep the removable cap F of this caisson uncovered. Then when the second caisson has been completely filled both caps or covers F' are removed, and access being thus afforded to the upper removable wall-sections a' ct of both caissons these wall sections are detached and removed. The joint between the faces of the abutting walls is stuffed with oakum or other suitable packing, and the two walls about the opening are drawn tightly together by bolts Then the filling ofthe cavities left in the two caissons is completed, the previous filling of the two cavities having been first inspected from these cavities and any defects remedied.

It will be understood that if the wall is extended to inclose a rectangular space the opening into one of each of the corner caissons will be formed in the side wall thereof to register with a corresponding opening in the end wall of the other corner caisson. It will also be evident that if the area to be inclosed by the wall is rectangular and of considerable size it may be necessary to brace the wall from within in order to enable it to resist the external pressure. In some cases it may be both possible and desirable to build the wall in such form as to enable it to resist external pressure without internal bracesas indicated, for example, inFigs. 6 and 7. In the former ligure the wall is represented as formed in a circle within a rectangular space which is to be covered bythe building to be erected, and each caisson, and therefore each section of the wall, as indicated at A2, is formed with beveled ends, so that the completed wall shall be self supporting against external pressure. In Fig. 7 the same idea is carried out in a slightly-different form, said figure illustrating the application of the invention to the construction of an octagonal bridge or other pier. In this case also each caisson, and therefore each wall-section A5 likewise, is formed with beveled ends,so that the completed wall shall be self-supporting against external pressure. In each of the applications of theinveniion illustrated in Figs.A 6 and 7 the building of the wall is carried on in the manner previously described, the several caissons being sunk to position successively and successively filled with concrete or other material and each section of the wall being successively connected with and made a part of the next section in the manner already described, so that the wall when completed shall be continuous. In the application of the invention illustrated in Fig. 7 it may be possible to permit the core or material surrounded by the wall to remain in position if the character of the material is such as to make this desirable, or it maybe removed and the space filled with masonry or concrete or other material to make a solid foundation after the bottom has been suitably prepared.

The value and importance of the invention in the building of bridges or other like piers are clearly shown in Figs. 8 and 9, in which is illustrated in part the construction of a bridge-pier in accordance with the invention. In the building of a large pier, such as that indicated, the construction and placing of a caisson large enough to inclose the entire work would-be matters of large expense and great diiiiculty. Moreover, it would require the preparation of the bottom upon which the caisson would rest to a substantially uniform level, which in the case of a sloping rock surface would further add to the expense and trouble. By the application of the present invention, however, as shown in Fig. 9, each caisson A4 is sunk independently of the other to a suitable depth, the bottom being excavated only to such a depth as is sufficient to afford a level surface for that caisson. The bottom for the next caisson may be stepped above or below the first, as the case may require. Each caisson is filled with concrete or other material, and the dam is made continuous by connecting each caisson with the next caisson, a saving in the quantity of material and in the labor of placing the material being thus effected compared with the usual method. TvVhen the building of the vwalls of the dam in-this manner has been car ried to a uniform level, the inside walls of the caissons may be removed,while the outside walls remain as a coifer-dam, and the space within the dam may be filled in solidly, either with or without the removal of the core, to form a solid foundation upon which the up per structure of the pier may be built, asin- IOO IIO

dicated by dotted lines in Fig. 9. Subsequently the outside Walls of the caissons may be removed to the proper depth.

It will be seen that by the method described herein a practically continuous Wall may be constructed, Whether as a dam only or as a foundation or as a part of a foundation, through which no Water can pass from end to end and that such Wall can be formed expeditiously and Without great expense. It Will be understood, of course, that if the Wall is not intended to completely inclose a given area then the caissons at the ends may be in= ished Without provision for the removal of any portion of the outer end Wall, while each of the intermediate caissons Will be formed at tWo points With such removable wall-section in order that connection may be made with both adjacent caissons.

I do not herein claim the construction or arrangement of the devices by which I carry out the above-described method, such construction and arrangement forming' the sub- 'ject-matter of an application,Serial No.55,27 6,

filed by me on April 11, 1901, of which this ap-v plication is a division.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. The method of building subterranean or subaqueous Walls, which consists in sinking successively to the desired depth, a number of caissons abutting one against another, filling each caisson in succession with concrete or other material, leaving a space or Well in i such caisson adjacent to the next caisson,

making an opening through the abutting walls from each caisson into the space or Well left in the previously-filled caisson, and filling such space orwell from the next succeeding caisson and such succeeding caisson in like manner; substantially as described.

2. The method of building foundations for piers in water or water-bearing strata, which consists in sinking to the desired depth about the space to be covered by the pier a number of caissons, filling each caisson with concrete or other material to form a dam, and making the dam continuous from each caisson to the next, and filling in with concrete or other material the space inclosed by such continuous dam; substantially as described.

3. The method of building subterranean or subaqueous Walls, which consists in sinking successively to the desired depth, a number of caissons abutting one against another, filling each caisson in succession with concrete or other material, leaving a space or well in such caisson adjacent to the next caisson, sea curing the abutting Walls of adjacent caissons together, making an opening through the abutting walls from each caisson into the space or well left in the previouslylled caisson and iilling such space or Well from the next succeeding caisson, and each succeeding caisson in like manner; substantially as de scribed.

4. The method of building foundations for piers in water or water-bearing strata, which consists in sinking to the desired depth about the space to be covered by the pier, a number of caissons, filling each caisson With concrete or other material to form a dam, 'and making the dam continuous from each caisson .to the next, removing the inner Walls of the caissons after the concrete orother-material with which they are filled has become solidl and illing in with concrete or other material the space inclosed by such continuous dam; substantially as described.

This specification signed and witnessed this 1st day of June, A. D. 1901.

JOHN F. OROURKE. In presence of- FRANK L. MUELLER, ANTHONY N. J EsBERA. 

